#author: hobbitsdoitbetter

[lockwood-fic-recs]

February Masterlist

All the fics we shared in the second month of 2024!! Thank you again for all the support :))

01/02 | Old Sun, New Morning by hailqiqi

02/02 | passed down like folksongs, the love lasts so long by youareiron_andyouarestrong (submission)

05/02 | Welcome to My Table, Bring Your Hunger by spinnaker1509

08/02 | Team Assets by the_one_that_fell

09/02 | [EXPLICIT] I melt with you by OctoberSeventeenth

12/02 | so this is love by TheMalapert

15/02 | Blinding Lights by kennys_birthday

19/02 | Boys Don't Cry by hobbitsdoitbetter

22/02 | Where did the newspaper clipping go? by Highuffle

23/02 | [EXPLICIT] yesterday we were just children by JennaTalbot

26/02 | Wrapped Up In You by jacksparrow589

29/02 | I won't sleep 'til you're safe inside by StarWritingFlute200

[miz-joelys-sherlollilists]

What’s everyone’s favourite newer fics! I feel like I’ve read the best from the good ole days but haven’t been around in the last few years. Anything compare to some of the top fics lately?

Oh heck yeah! Oodles of great stuff, especially post The Final Problem (I'm using 2017 as the baseline cos I assume by the good ole days you're talking PetraTodd and DietPlainLite and broomclosetkink and Nocturnias, to name but a few).

@sunken-standard has some awesome one-shots in her ficlet cemetary and a fantastic post TFP fic Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

And you can't go wrong with anything by any of these authors, imho:

@englandsgray

@ellis-hendricks

@mrsmcrieff

@mae-jones

@darnedchild

@hobbitsdoitbetter

@asteraceae-blue

@ukthxbye

@itssweaterxweather

@strangelock221b

@stlgeekgirl (aka Mouse9)

@ashockinglackofsatin

If anyone has more specific newer faves to recommend, please sing out!

[holidaysat221b]

Rec of the Week - 5/18/22

Over  the years we’ve had a lot prompt fills submitted to us.  I thought  it would be nice to shine a spotlight on those individual submissions.  Please give the author or artist a bit of love.

#Balm by @hobbitsdoitbetter - A collection of scenes in a life. A good life, lived together. Molly and Sherlock find domestic bliss... Some of the time...

Set post S4, drabbles. All originally posted on tumblr. The scenes are not posted in chronological order. Not all take place in the same universe, or time period. Enjoy!

Original Prompt: Molly, unbeknownst to Sherlock, suffers from psoriasis since her teen years. This is why she’s been adamant about being more physically intimate with him, no matter how much she wants to. Fortunately for her, Sherlock doesn’t care about it at all. Could be a hard T or M rating. Loosely inspired by Loo’s own bout with the disease.  -  @violetjersey    

[thisisartbylexie]

Sherlolly Appreciation Week - 2020 Fic Rec Post

@sherlollyappreciationweek is this week and I’ve had my head not screwed on straight and missed daily posting.  Which means y’all are going to deal with a single LONG post of Sherlolly Fic Recs. I’m making up for timeliness by dumping more recs than anyone asked for. Buckle up. 

(tl:dr - Listen, you can find every flavor of Sherlolly fic curated like a Willy Wonka’s factory over on @miz-joelys-sherlollilists, but I have curated a gourmet banquet for you right here. Please leave feedback for the creators.)

DAY ONE -  Gone But Not Forgotten (WIPs/Incomplete Fics)

I left a review and am also recommending The Ghost and Molly Hooper by doctor_WTF. This is the story of Molly who purchased 221B Baker St only to find that the last inhabitant died, but never really left. This is set as an AU with the context of TRF. 

Also gonna recommend A Line to Cross by @blogyourfeelingsaway. This is an AU where Molly doesn’t actually like Sherlock at first, much to his surprise...

Delayed For A Little While by @lono285. A Princess Bride AU we don’t deserve.

DAY TWO - Angst Fest 

Phoenix by @lono285. This is the author’s summary: Nothing could bring Molly Hooper back to life. He saw her final breath leave her body. But with a few short words from a nameless voice on the telephone, he realized the resumed beating of his heart had a name: hope.

Ghost of A Girl by Alethnya. Author’s summary: Death, as it turns out, wasn't quite as final as Molly had always believed. Fear not, you will smile at the end, I promise. 

 All You Ever Wanted At Just The Wrong Time by @soyeahso. This wasn’t what Molly expected being a relationship with Sherlock would be like. 

The Coffin-Maker’s Lullaby by @hobbitsdoitbetter. This is ANGST but it’s more like catharsis post-S4. 

But if you’re REALLY looking for The Pain Train, take the emotional tour via The Gods Have [No] Mercy by TuesdayTerrible. This is a soulmate AU.

Also, The Five Stages of an Illogical Death by AndInTimeThisTooShallPass. It’s exactly what you think it is. 

DAY THREE - When We Were Young (S1 & S2)

A Beautiful Mind by jankmusic. I have a theme for fics, apparently, because this one is also super emotional. This is set vaguely in the S2 timeline, but it’s an amnesia fic that starts with established Sherlolly. But then...

Her Last Bow by @PetraTodd. This is just after S2. Author’s summary: Like a knight going off to war, when Sherlock goes off to fight Moriarty's network, he takes a favor from Molly Hooper. (Of course, favors are normally *given* but Sherlock isn't really one for manners.)

All The Things Said and Unsaid by @elixirbb. Molly goes with Sherlock after The Fall. 

Every Time and Always by @flaignhan. Written just after S2.01 aired. 

Do I even need to mention The Full House  and Always Something by @emceefrodis? Because like, that should be part of the Sherlollian Bible or something. 

DAY FOUR - Bust Out (Comedy Gold)

Friends Like These by @elixirbb. Sherlolly post-S2 from Lestrade’s POV. 

A Little Inspiration by @lilsherlockian1975. Humor with some angst, but a fun read. 

If You Like It... by ll_again. ...put a ring on it. Post-S3 where Molly and the Holmes parents form a friendship. 

The New Conception by Quarto. Post-S3 ish. Author’s summary: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single consulting detective in possession of an undercover assignment must be in want of a wife.

DAY FIVE - EPIC (Long Fics)

A Fearful Hope Was All The World by @miabicicletta . End of the world AU that somehow hits HARD especially now. Not for the emotionally fragile, but there’s still HEA. 

In matters of the heart by TheSapphireSky. Regency AU. There’s mystery and heart-wrenching emotion with our favorite idiots. It’s *chef’s kiss*. 

The Signs of the Four by Emma_Lynch. Victorian AU you’re looking for. 

The Necessary Mother by darthsydious. Victorian AU where Sherlock is a single father and Molly comes to help him. This isn’t on AO3, so I will tag with the warning of character death (secondary, but still gutting due to period typical mortality). 

Molly Hooper and the Flagon Nocturnal by Zoa. It’s a CRIME that this Indiana Jones AU doesn’t have more comments.

In general, if you’re looking for LONG fics, check out the 2015 Sherlolly Big Bang Collection. Every fic has a minimum of 25K. 

DAY SIX - Fluffy Friday

So I like my fluff with a side of angst (for ~flavor~).

Order From Chaos by MaybeItsJustMyType. Soulmate AU. 

Semantics by @geekmama. Sap everywhere. 

Intuit by ClassySpanks. Molly runs away to Switzerland. 

Zephyr by @writingwife-83. A Victorian AU arranged marriage. 

I also had to mention Wedding Day by floosilver8. This is Groundhog Day-set up, Molly POV, set at the Watson wedding. Not like 100% fluffy, but I love reading it when I need a pick me up. 

DAY SEVEN - Free For All

You guys know I’m a sucker for a period AU. So I’m going to recommend one of my favorite AUs: London Bridge Is Falling Down by @lono285. This is a WWII-era AU that I love to bits and pieces because it’s ADORABLE. 

Speaking of AUs, here’s a Victorian amnesia fic. Changing Faces by @likingthistoomuch

Also, there’s an S2-ish hasty marriage AU Band of Gold by @mizjoely and the 1940s AU remix With This Ring written by me. (yup, I am SHAMELESS. And quite proud of this one.)

I’m gonna add with a tear, the truth comes by broomclosetkink. Semi-angsty AU of the Watson wedding. Fix-it fic.

Looking for the Christmas Carol AU? Well, try A Knockout Christmas by Ellis_Hendricks.

Here’s Sherlock-Is-An-Actual-Moron. Unplanned pregnancy AU where Sherlock doesn’t realize it’s his. Hearts Don’t Break Around Here by darthsydious. 

OOOOOOOOF. I’ve been reading your Sherlolly fics since like 2011 and I have heaps more (SO many fantastic authors I didn’t even mention here!). 

Please check out the official post because the other half of this appreciation week is also leaving feedback for authors.  

Give them some LOVE! 

[simplyshelbs16xoxo]

Tagged by @mousedetective ♡ thanks, darlin!

Nickname: Shelbs

Zodiac: Libra

Height: 5′ 1"

Hogwarts House: Ravenclaw

Last thing I googled: I think it was looking up a definition of a word to make sure I was using it right lol

Song stuck in my head: willow by taylor swift

Lucky numbers: 16, 3, 13

Dream job: solo artist, though a band could be cool as long as there's no drama

Wearing: in order to keep warm at work, fleece leggings underneath my jeans, a tank top with a sweatshirt and leather jacket over it. Oh and a beanie and a mask.

Favorite author: I have too many, but I'll go with my usual, @aghowardwrites

Favorite instrument: guitar, violin

Aesthetic: I think I have a mixed aesthetic, not just any one. It's like romantic goth, witchy cottagecore, a touch of bohemian, and something else I can't think of right now.

Favorite song: one does not simply choose only one song. Right now, I've been obsessed with Lewis Capaldi's entire album lol

Favorite animal noise: wolf howls

Random: ummmm my heart is currently at war with my head, and I'm in the midst of writing what I think is one of my best sherlolly fics

Tagging: @lostlunarch @writingwife-83 @broadwaylover17 @cumbercougars @mae-jones @eliotsbambi @hobbitsdoitbetter @juldooz (and anyone else who wants to)

[youknowmymethods]

Content Creator Interview #1

In the very first of a series of interviews with authors and artists in the Sherlolly and Sherlock fandoms @theemptyquarto chatted to @hobbitsdoitbetter about dark Anglo-Irish humour,  how she got started in the fandom, cultural influences, and so much more. 

I hope you all enjoy reading what they have to say as much as I did.

Hello Tumblr!

Back before Christmas 2018 I sat down (metaphorically, in a shared google doc) with the lovely Hobbitsdoitbetter.  Hobbits has been working in fanfic at least since 2006, but came onto the BBC Sherlock scene in 2013, oddly enough (or maybe not that oddly, if you have read her sensitive and universally female-positive fic) getting her start as an Adlock writer.  She switched over to Sherlolly with the brilliant, “Be Near Me When My Light Is Low,” a graceful and touching story dealing with domestic partner abuse.

 After that she was off to the races.  Since then, she’s written many of the most beloved stories in Sherlolly fandom, including: “The Boyfriend Experience,” which yours truly got to beta-read, set in an AU where Sherlock is a high class escort; “Little Goldfish,”a deeply sexy story dealing with the healthy (and unhealthy) use of BDSM in relationships;  “The Rudest Man In London,” a rollicking Victorian AU adventure; and others too numerous to list here.  Currently she’s publishing “Bliss,” another sweet Victorian AU in which Sherlock and Molly have to find their way to one another as partners in a marriage blanc, and a joint fic with Mizjoely called “The Poison in the Honey, the Sting in the Sweet,” featuring crimelord Sherlock, MI5 agent Molly, and an early-1980s setting.

 Before I get into our chat, I’m going to post two reader questions submitted by OhAine pre-interview, since the actual discussion spins off both of them.  

So with thanks to Aine:

(1) You write a very strong Molly, never more so than in “What the blackbird sang.” Can you tell us a little about the process of writing that story, and how difficult was it to walk the line between such a harrowing backstory and the love story you were developing?

 It’s interesting to talk about “What The Blackbird Sang,” and the fic which preceded it, “Be Near Me When My Light Is Low.” It was the first Sherlolly piece I actually wrote, and I was still finding the characters’ voices. Getting John’s voice, in particular, proved a trial; it wasn’t until I wrote him telling someone off that I felt I had him. (I also wouldn’t make Mycroft so heartless if I wrote it today.) I was feeling my way through the Sherlockverse, and when I read the fic now, that’s really the only thing I can see, lol.  

 I was very aware of the morality of discussing something which affects people in real life, and of the ways in which some behaviors are presented to young women as welcome or romantic in popular culture when they’re actually creepy and controlling. Domestic violence is often presented in fanfic as an excuse for a character to be saved by another (male) character, or as an excuse for whump, angst or hurt/comfort, and I didn’t want to write anything like that. I wanted it to be realistic, and to be respectful of the experiences of people who have suffered from it. (I do know a couple of people who have survived DV, and I know their kids). I also wanted to show some of the things which younger readers should look out for as red flags, and give accurate information on what resources were available to them if they were in a situation which was dangerous. In short, I wanted the story to be useful as well as entertaining.

 In order to do that, I looked a lot at real life cases of DV; almost everything which Molly’s ex does to her in the story is based on something from real life, including leaving the little bloody dolls on her doorstep. I also looked at the ways in which people with PTSD deal with panic attacks and flashbacks; I wanted to be honest and respectful, as I said, and I wanted to make sure that nothing I wrote glamourised or romanticized the abuse or the trauma. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and I know how difficult it can be to try and manage someone else’s reaction to your illness, as well as your own: that’s why I chose to give Sherlock prior experience with dealing with panic attacks. Writing the story itself wasn’t difficult; because I had given myself an obligation to be realistic, I had an in-built set of brakes. I couldn’t put in anything too fantastical, and that certainly helped. As for writing the romance, well... I think one of the things I like about Sherlock is that he’s not led around by his libido. I figured that if anyone would be willing to give Molly a chance to heal before things become physical, it would be him. I also felt that, given how bewildered he is by interpersonal relationships sometimes, he would be able to sympathize with someone who was also feeling emotionally vulnerable. And dealing with the physical abuse helped Sherlock grow up a bit, because he couldn’t just charge in on a white horse and then disappear off: if he wanted to help, he had to stick around and do some things which he felt uncomfortable with, like being emotionally open. It meant that he had a through-line in the story which wasn’t just about being strong or powerful. He had to change and grow, and I felt that was important. It also meant that he had something to do besides be in love with Molly, and I do think that helped keep the story from becoming too saccharine or concerned with romance.  

 (2) I often think when I’m reading your Victorian stories that there’s a very certain quality that Molly shares with Irish women, that there’s a quietness and dignity to her strength that I saw in women of my mother’s generation: rather than being given it, they took power where they could find it. How much of your characterisation of Molly has been influenced by the women in your own history?

 It’s interesting that you mention the women of our mother’s generation as regards Victorian Molly, because I do think there’s an element, not so much of quietness (I come from a long, LOUD line of Northside Dublin matriarchs) but I do think there’s an element of, as you say, taking what power you can rather than waiting to be given it. (Because if you’re waiting to be given anything in life, you’ll be waiting a long time, and it can always be taken back). Maybe it’s the feminist in me; I am painfully aware that surviving as a woman in the past was not easy. It was a great deal more than pretty dresses and dashing men in carriages. Poverty had dire consequences, and you had to be tough if you were to survive, particularly when you had no legal rights. So I do think that I bring that attitude to writing about the past: I’m a bit cynical about it.

 I also don’t like writing passive characters: one of the things I like about Molly is that while she may be quiet, or shy, or sweet, or clumsy, she isn’t passive. (I suspect that’s the influence of Lou Brealey on the way she’s written, but that’s just a personal opinion.) Molly does things, actively: she decides to help Sherlock, she orders him to say ILY first. She’s not waiting to be saved, or to be loved; she accepts life and gets on with it. She has a sort of sweet stoicity that I like. And again, that stoicity may relate back to the women of our mothers’ and grandmothers’ generations, and that get on with it mentality that they had.

 And with these tantalizing tidbits, I sat down with hobbitsdoitbetter for our chat.

 Quarto:  Hi Hobbits!  Thanks for joining me!

 Hobbits: I am here whenever you’re ready!

 Quarto:  Awesome.  So, let’s get started with a spinoff of one of the questions OhAine submitted and that you’ve already answered.  You started writing Sherlolly with “Be Near Me When My Light Is Low,” which deals with domestic violence and in which the love story is really more of a side subject.  Can you talk about how you got the inspiration for this fic?  What in the show led you to create the material?

 Hobbits: It’s an odd one, that, because I don’t really remember deciding to write it. I do remember reading a piece of fic online by a very young writer, who was still learning her craft. She was doing that thing we all do at the start, which is ramping every reaction up to 11! But because she was talking about Molly feeling unhappy with how Sherlock spoke to her, she didn’t seem to realize how it came across. It came across, I remember thinking, as if Sherlock were being verbally abusive. A lot of it was in the reactions written on Molly’s behalf; one person’s sarcastic banter is another’s hurtful barb, and there didn’t seem to be a recognition of the difference. I messaged her privately and asked her about it, and she didn’t seem to see the difference (again, starting out and making a common mistake we all make). But there was a lot of stuff about Molly putting up with shite from Sherlock that I just didn’t see her putting up with, and which seemed to me to be quite… Let’s say unhelpful.

 Quarto:  I think it can be difficult to balance that sort of stuff in fic, particularly when you’re writing for a show like “Sherlock” where the wit is so pointed and exaggerated for dramatic effect.  In the context of the show it’s funny but then when we try to capture it in fic it comes off like it would IRL, as “Wow, these people are massive assholes.”

 Hobbits: Well, some of that is, I think, cultural differences. British and Irish people will say stuff to one another messing that the rest of the world is horrified by. We have a dark sense of humor as a matter of course. BUT the big thing is how the person you say it to reacts; Mycroft and Sherlock don’t get upset at how they speak to one another and they can be sarcastic little bitches. But if, for example, you say something to someone (as Sherlock does to Molly in the SIB Christmas scene) which hurts them, the appropriate response is to apologize and not do it again. I think that’s why we stick with Sherlock through so much, because you can tell that he just blurts stuff out, or gets so wound up in his own cleverness that he doesn’t stop to think about how it sounds. But if you’re portraying someone as upset, and that that’s a normal or desirable reaction to a character because they’re Just That Awesome, then I look at it a bit askance. In fairness to that writer from long ago, I don’t think it had occurred to her how it sounded; that’s something that comes later in writing, I think, when you no longer have the massive panic attack that is trying to finish something and put it out there, which is the first, scariest and bravest step.

 Quarto: I’ll want to get back to the experience of authorship in a minute but before I do I’d like to talk a little bit about culture and how its influenced you as a writer, which also ties in with one of the reader-submitted questions.  I wish I still had that email chain we did when you were writing “The Boyfriend Experience” but in one exchange we had that I recall, you disagreed with me (an American) that the story was dark.  And you attributed your perception of it as not dark to your Irishness.  And I kinda… have to stand by my original opinion of your writing, which is that you definitely operate a bit more on the grim end of the spectrum (with obvious exceptions).  Do you think that your heritage and your culture are really determining or influencing the things you choose to write?

 Hobbits: I remember that! I was terribly worried I had offended you :-( But I do think that the cultural assumptions that come from being working class and Irish determine your world-view, and what you think of as dark. (Infamously, Irish writers and playwrights are always writing dark plays and I have spent the last ten years working in a theatre, lol). But also, the reason I didn’t feel “The Boyfriend Experience,” was dark was because I didn’t necessarily feel prostitution or working through trauma were dark, they’re just facts of life. I do have stories I feel are dark, because they’re about hopelessness: Be Near Me… is one, as is Little Goldfish. I would say they’re dark because they take place primarily in very dark places where there’s no light coming in. Molly is being abused, Sherlock can’t move past his own hang ups and traumas. Those seem to me to be dark. But other things, where there’s a bad experience but people are managing to survive, or thrive, those I always find really life affirming. The other thing is that, as someone who deals with depression and anxiety, putting a label on something as dark has always seemed to me a way of making it seem more frightening and debilitating. But if you write about bad stuff that happens, but people survive it then I find that much more life affirming, particularly if you, The Reader, are dealing with some of those things yourself. It’s my way of saying, hey, this doesn’t define you. You aren’t helpless, you can get through this. Not “you must, because if you don’t then you’re weak,” but more, “even if you don’t entirely beat this, there are things you can do. You are more than a label.” Sorry, I’m not sure if I’m getting my meaning across there :-(

 Quarto: Nah, you’re doing fine:)  And at the point I made the original comment I don’t believe I knew how you were going to end the story… which you did with “recovery,” basically, rendering what comes before it a necessary process rather than “Oh fuck that’s a downer.”   When you’ve tried to write horror, though, I will say that you do very well with it, possibly because of that attitude.  The “Eurus thing” ficlet you wrote in “Bumping Back” is one of the creepiest short pieces I can recall reading in this or any fandom, and the bleakness of it is definitely part of that.

 Hobbits: Well, one of the things about writing horror is it’s the only genre I give myself permission in to go to town with the darkness, lol. Every other genre, I always try to have some light at the end, but with horror it’s like, nah, bring it on. I also love writing horror to do with children, because it’s immediately making the adults uncomfortable- Nobody wants to imagine a child in that position. And of course the scariest things for most of us have roots in childhood; Pan’s Labyrinth scared the Bejayzus out of me, Crimson Peak not so much. And it’s because the things which imprint on us in childhood carry that same massive emotional weight throughout our lives. So if you tap into that with a reader, you tap into the child that reader was, not the fully grown up and confident person they’ve become. You can really up the ante emotionally in that way. I’m glad you liked the Eurus Thing btw, though my favorite of that series is probably The Other Tenant, just because I loved the idea of Mrs. Hudson having her own life which is every bit as interesting as her boys’. That’s how I like writing side characters, and I learned that in the XMen fandom: write everyone as if they have something just as interesting going on just off camera/page… Mwah ha ha!

 Quarto: It’s a crime that there’s not WAY more Huddersfic.  She’s had a fascinating life and there’s almost infinite room to give her adventures.  Can we talk about how your life in the theater influences your writing a bit?  You work as far as I can tell exclusively in the present tense… is that a reason why?

 Hobbits: Mmm, that never occurred to me, but you may be right :-) I suppose I got used to writing in the present tense when I first started writing fanfic, because my earlier attempts at writing stories or novels (I emphasize attempts) were all in the past tense, so when I started in fanfic I wanted to experiment, and that was one of the experiments that worked for me. I loved how immediate it made everything. It’s funny, now, twelve years later, that I write so much more fanfic than I do regular prose (I mainly write plays now). I mean, I started in fanfic as a way to experiment with voice, since I had trouble with it when I was younger. I had a tendency, even then, to just write dialogue and nothing else, so I started writing characters I knew well, but who weren’t like the talkative characters I created. That’s one of the reasons I loved writing Logan in X-Men, for example: He’s so bloody gruff and uncommunicative. And then what started as a writing experiment became not only a place to learn my trade, but also a place to experiment with form, to make friends, and to write the sort of things I wanted to write without having to please anyone except myself. It was incredibly liberating, and really important in helping me find my voice and my confidence. I can genuinely say that I wouldn’t have had the confidence to have written my plays, or put them on, without the support of the fanfic community.

 Quarto: You do have a very distinctive authorial voice.  As someone who has been mistaken for MizJoely, Gettingovergreta, and Sunken_Standard on multiple occasions, I am slightly envious of this.  Do you have any authors, fan or professional, who you think have influenced your style?

 Hobbits: Well, in terms of style I can definitely cite Miabicicletta and OhAine as influences, in terms of the way they write and the subject matter they choose. Out here in meatspace, I love writers like Jim Butcher, Ben Aaronovitch and Leigh Bardugo, because they’re experimenting with genre and making it their own. I also love playwrights like Marina Carr and Mark O’Rowe, who again have that authorial voice down pat. As soon as you hear a speech by Marina Carr, you know it’s her. Same with Mark O’Rowe, a man whom even I think writes some dark stuff.

 Quarto: I’m not familiar with him, but I’ll check him out.  And now that you say it, the gritty modern-day fairytale vibe of the Dresden Files does definitely have some hobbitsy nature to it:)

 Hobbits: God bless Harry Dresden, saving the world one random act of destruction at a time!  

 Quarto: Let’s talk shipping a bit.  You started off with Adlock, and one of the things that I have liked about your fic is that you have preserved the importance of that relationship to Sherlock even though you’re obviously writing Sherlolly.  What made you switch?  And when did you start?

 Hobbits: Well, I was asked to write an Adlock fic, which is how I got into the fandom. I had just finished a Darcy/Steve Rogers fic which was about them experimenting with D/s and Wicked Wanton got in touch with me on ff.net and asked me to write about Sherlock and Irene’s first time, specifically because I had written domme!Darcy. Once I wrote that, I started reading stuff around Sherlock and basically stumbled across Sherlolly, which I then fell in love with as a ship. I also felt that Irene, as much as I loved her, wasn’t the sort of person who would have a traditional HEA with Sherlock; my feeling about them was that they would kill one another, long term. Irene is nobody’s love interest, and I couldn’t really make stories which featured her in such a role fly with me. She seemed far too big a character to fulfill a role like that. Whereas with Molly she could have that sort of relationship with him, and not feel constricted. It wouldn’t be out of character for her, which I felt it would be for Irene. But I like Irene as a character, and for that reason I like having her in stories, and I treat her and SHerlock’s past together with respect. It’s entirely possible to love someone and know you can’t live with them. It doesn’t mean Sherlock loves Molly any less, or that he’s settling, they’re just a better match.

 Quarto: Sort of going along with what you were saying earlier about wanting to fill in the stories of the supporting players more than the principals?

 Hobbits: Yeah. I also found Molly more relatable in some ways, because she is the girl next door in a way that Irene isn’t. Molly is extraordinary, and a very specific type of female character who tends to get piled on by certain elements of fandom, so I like writing her. It’s partly wanting to give the side players more space and partly the fact that I loves me an underdog. And the reaction to her character was also soooo tied in with some of the issues fandom has had with misogyny (in the same vein that people reacted to Mary) that I wanted to write something which was pro-woman and pro-ordinary woman. We treat female characters as if we need an excuse to pay attention to them: either they’re naked or suffering or sexy. If they’re not fitting into any of those very specific niches then they get treated like they don’t deserve our attention or respect.

 Quarto: It can indeed be difficult to relate to Irene “Stupidly beautiful, ten steps ahead of everybody, wearing $10,000 outfits” Adler sometimes.  So let’s talk about your Molly a bit… you relate to her being the most “ordinary” woman in the show.  Martin Freeman talked about how John is the “ordinary” man, but is in fact quite accomplished and has had a very interesting and adventurous life.  Do you think something similar applies to Molly?

 Hobbits: Yeah, absolutely. I think that when we talk about “ordinary characters,” in the Sherlock universe, it can be helpful to think about them, not in terms of who they are but what they want. John, Molly and Greg are all normal people who are very good at their jobs/have an amazing skill set, but they want relatively normal things. Happy home lives, a comfortable living. Their version of happiness would look a lot like us viewers’ version. Whereas Sherlock, Mycroft, Mary (to a certain extent), Eurus and Irene all want extraordinary things, as well as being extraordinary themselves. Sherlock wants to be able to tell the truth of someone just by looking at them; Mycroft and Eurus both want to be able to fit this massive, messy world into a box of order which they can understand. Irene wants to see just how far she can push everything, (something she has in common with Sherlock). John, Molly and Greg are ok with having lives more like us other poor schlubs, so long as they’re happy. (Of course, there’s a whole can of worms to be  gone through whether John actually wants that, or thinks he wants that and deep down doesn’t). But I do think Greg and Molly are certainly happy to be Extraordinary Ambitions Adjacent, rather than having those ambitions themselves. They’re not quite so… grandiose, lol.

 Quarto: I can’t believe I’m actually going to type these words, but… I’d argue that Molly is a John mirror (ughhh, m-theory) in some regards.  Because Molly had the opportunity for “normal happiness” with Poor Tom Who Did His Best, and for somewhat ambiguous reasons ended it. Much like John thought he wanted a normal domestic life and accidentally married a superagent?

 Hobbits: I so sometimes hate how much of what should be straight-forward fandom theory has been co-opted. I don’t know if I see her as a mirror for John, because I think if anything she’s a mirror for Sherlock. She’s who Sherlock might have become, had be had a different, more normal set of circumstances. (IE not being the sibling of The British Government and The Greatest Criminal MInd of The Millennium.) Whereas for John, I do think he doesn’t realize that he’s a weirdo like the Holmeses, until it’s staring him in the face. Molly isn’t an image of who he is, so much as who he thought he was, and in that way so are Greg and Stamford. A true mirror might be Sherlock himself, in his addicted-to-danger guise. Hmm, not sure that makes sense… :-/

 Quarto: No, it makes sense, but it’s not a point of view I’ve seen many people espousing, even in Sherlolly fandom.  When you’re writing them do you use the idea that Sherlock and Molly are recognizing some sort of internal similarity to themselves as part of their attraction/interest in one another?

 Hobbits: I do think there’s an element of that, because a lot of what I write has Sherlock being a bit bewildered by emotion, particularly things like tenderness or attraction. Like, the purpose of the whole in-show thing with Irene was that The Woman was dangerous and not to be trusted, which is the message that Mycroft has always seemed to give Sherlock about feelings. So for me Molly represents for him a gradual realisation that feelings aren’t always big and terrifying; they can be sweet, and welcome, and kind, and they can add to your life. They can be safe. The concept of safety gets a bum rap in modern culture, but I think it’s a fundamental part of loving someone, and being able to be with them. Sure, it’s exciting to wonder whether your partner is going to put a knife in your back, but it’s a lot more pleasant (not to mention workable) to be with someone you trust.

 Quarto: Mind if I ask a follow-on question about some of your sexy writing?

 Hobbits: Sure, shoot :-)

 Quarto: You’ve written several BDSM-themed fics with this pairing, I think exclusively with domme!Molly… does that go along with your ideas of “safety” as a critical component to their relationship?

 Hobbits: Yes, in so far as I don’t think BDSM is necessary to feel safe in a relationship, but I do think that the attraction of BDSM in relationships can be that it’s rooted in safety. The submissive gives their control to the dominant, and trusts that the dominant will not take advantage, and will give them pleasure. (One of the reasons I ship Sherlolly more than Adlock is that I don’t think Irene could be trusted, at this point in her life, to do this for Sherlock). If you take that as a given, then the BDSM relationship is very up-front in its terms, and there’s very little grey area. You don’t have to interpret, you’ve already discussed what’s wanted, and where the lines are. There is also a procedure to follow if you need to pull back or change tack. I do think that all couples have elements of submission and dominance (or maybe trust and hand-over is a better way to phrase it), it’s just that D/s couples are more forthright about it. And as someone who sometimes has trouble reading social cues, both I (and, in my writing, Sherlock) appreciate the lack of ambiguity.

 Quarto: You know you bring up a very interesting point and one that I never really thought of.  Your Sherlock, consistently, needs to have trust and safety in his relationship with Molly.  BDSM-fics or otherwise.  And you wrote a lot of them before we knew that he was recovering from such horrific trauma that he suppressed and rewrote the memories of huge segments of his childhood.  What did you see in the character that made you almost prescient about that?

 Hobbits: Hmm… I think it’s because he was, from the beginning, presented to us as someone who was running from something. When you’re ok with where your thoughts are at, you don’t crave distraction in the way Sherlock does. He also didn’t seem to be able to handle his feelings, and that seemed to be tied into the way Mycroft had raised him to think of them: When there isn’t anything dark in the background of a character’s story, they learn to handle their emotions like a normal person, which neither Sherlock nor Mycroft had. It became even more pronounced when we met their lovely, slightly batty but seemingly emotionally healthy parents.

 To be honest though, even if Sherlock hadn’t had the experiences we found out about in S4, I would have thought that the way he’d been raised had traumatized him a bit. Like, Mycroft probably thought he was doing a good thing, but telling a child that their emotions- which they cannot be without, and which act as an early-warning system for abuse and trouble- are not to be trusted is going to mess a kid up. And then there was all that stuff about “do not forget me…” in TAB, and that constant visual about Sherlock being submerged in water… The visuals of the show seemed to be hinting at something even before they came out with it. I am pleased that I called Eurus’ gender before S4, but that’s about the only thing I thought was just me being clever. The rest seemed common sense- If you’ve spent any time around traumatized people, which I have.

 Quarto: You mentioned in your response to the reader questions that you now wouldn’t write Mycroft as being as heartless as you did in, “What The Blackbird Sang.”  Is that just your perception changing or the addition of new material about him to the canon?  Because that is the opposite of how I’ve felt about him:)

 Hobbits: Partly, it’s because I think Mycroft has changed a bit from how we see him in S1, so that by S4 he’s more of a tragic figure. He’s that bloke who thought he was so much cleverer than everyone else, and then you realize that it’s just a cover because he has been asked to deal with things he has no idea how to deal with. And his sticking with keeping Eurus on Sherrinford, and not telling his parents, shows that. (In my HC, Rudy was her initial jailor, since Mycroft couldn’t have been old enough to make it happen). Mycroft reacted like a little kid who has done something wrong: hide it, contain it, don’t tell anyone about it. Make sure, as far as possible, that Eurus is ok, but that’s all. He puts all this pressure on himself, because he doesn’t know what else to do. One of the things which I loved about TFP is when Mummy tells Sherlock, “everyone knows you’re the sensible one!” Because yes, Mycroft is the elder and seems so much more put together, but in that family Sherlock is actually the emotionally healthy one. He’s grown and learned over the years, which Mycroft hasn’t. And that’s a real shame, because it damages Mycroft, and Eurus, and his parents.

  (At this point in the interview Quarto ran a word count, realized this was getting lengthy, and decided to do some more rapid-fire Q&A.)

  Quarto: So where do you see your future fics going, at two years into the long (and possibly unending) hiatus?  Any things you’re wanting to write that we haven’t seen yet?

 Hobbits: Well, I suppose I’ll stop writing when I stop having ideas for fics. I mean, that’s the thing about fandom, it’s a self-replenishing medium, so even if a new piece of canon doesn’t inspire you, a new fic or piece of fan art might. I do have a couple of pieces I wish I had gone back to (The Copperbeech Identity, Red Door Black and No Capes! Are the ones which spring immediately to mind.) Obviously, I want to finish Bliss and The Sting in The Honey… And I do have an idea for a Sherlolly AU which is set in a theatre during the production of a new show. (Seriously, you wouldn’t believe some of the things I’ve seen in the last week before curtain-up, lol). At some point I’ll get to it, hopefully. For the time being though, I’m happy where I am. The only way I’d move on or step away is if I find something which grabs my attention more, and at the moment that’s not happening. So I am here for the time being, and I’m hoping that, even if I stop posting fic or fan art (something I’m dipping my toe into) then I will still be able to keep in touch with all the friends I’ve made in the fandom.

 Quarto: I’d love it if you finished “Red Door Black.”  I reread that one while prepping for this and had forgotten how much I loved it.  And I’m here for your theater AU.  Any fics you wish you’d written differently, or things you’d change?

 Hobbits: I would have written Mycroft differently in Be Near Me… as I said. I might have written some of Rudest Man... differently, because I felt it ended up being very finicky as a plot. I had so many balls in the air, I’m not entirely sure I kept them all in motion in the best way. But that’s what happens when you give yourself 4 main pairings, two villains and permission to bring in any universe elements you want, including Torchwood and Tarzan, lol. Also, Sally and Henry Knight’s day will come, I tell you!

 Quarto: Lol, I’d forgotten the little Lord Greystoke cameo in that one.  What’s the best thing you’ve written?

 Hobbits: Ah jaysus, you can’t ask an author that! I have some stories which I love, but which haven’t gotten much attention: Sense and Sensitivity, for example, in which Eurus runs away with the Guardians of the Galaxy, for example. Occasionally I just write weird stuff which makes me laugh. I think And A Garden… and What the Blackbird Sang are probably the two best structured stories. There’s nothing superfluous in them, nobody is out of character. I love the emotion of The Coffin-Maker’s Lullaby, because it was kind of like my thank you to the show; I had assumed that after S4 there was no chance it was coming back, at all, EVER, so that was my goodbye in a way. (Although, of course, then the fandom just kept going, and we found out there might be more, eventually. So it ended up being less a swan-song and more a high five)

 Quarto: The original version of that question, FWIW, was “what’s the worst thing you’ve written” but I’m being positive today:) Any tips for fic writers just in general, or for people writing Sherlolly, or Molly specifically?

 Hobbits: I have to admit, if I think something is bad then I’ll pull it. So anything I have up, I feel fairly happy with, even if I can see little niggling things I might change, not be happy with.

 I think in writing, the thing I always say is do the first draft. Do the first draft and be happy that it’s shite, that’s the first draft’s job. You only get better if you write that first draft, and then improve on it. You only learn if you do that, and it’s trial and error. There’s a Miles Davis quote I love: “It sure does take a long time to sound like yourself.” And it’s true, it does. So give yourself the time. Don’t be worried about not sounding like anyone else: you only have to sound like you. If you’re writing in fandom, don’t stay in a fandom which is nasty to you or negative; you want to be in a place which is supportive. The Clois, Rogan and Sherlolly fandoms were all supportive and kind to me, and I couldn’t have developed as I have without them. I also couldn’t have continued to write the fic I write, which is feminine-positive, in a nasty or anti-feminist place. My one rule for my fic is that one of the female characters, somewhere, must be either getting what she wants, or on the way to getting it. That should absolutely be a thing in writing, and never be embarrassed or sorry about wanting that.

 As for Molly, I think the writers have done an amazing job with her over the last few years. She went from being a walk over to an interesting, multi-faceted character in her own right. And she did it without having to become something she’s not: Molly will never be a Strong Female Character, and thank god for that! She’s more human and more interesting than that tag would ever make her.

 Quarto: Words of wisdom.  Hobbits, thank you for talking with me today!

 Hobbits: It was my pleasure. If you need anything else, just let me know… And merry Christmas from Dublin :-)

So much thanks to Quarto and Hobbits for giving their time and energy to this project.

Next week: 

Our next interview, featuring @lilsherlockian1975 and @mrsmcrieff, will be posted on Friday 22 February.

[theemptyquarto]

Tagged by @mizjoely

Author Name: quarto, theemptyquarto

Fandoms You Write For:BBC Sherlock.  In a past life I also wrote Labyrinth, BTVS, Angel, and Sandman fic.  You will not find those under my current username

Where You Post: AO3, fanfiction.net, and I post little ficlets here at tumblr

Most Popular One-Shot: My most popular fic full stop is “Written in my skin,” which is a sarcastic take on the soulmates AU.  I think that one might cross to 400 kudos pretty soon

Most Popular Multi-Chapter Story:  “Competition,” which is just slightly-sexy fluff.  

Favorite Story You Wrote: Oddly enough, “The Second Mrs. Watson.”  I didn’t belabor any of the jokes, I think I handled the multiple POVs well, the OFC was well-received and I am happy with the balance of humor and melancholy.

Story You Were Nervous to Post: I have recently written two angsty porn-with-feelings fics that I was very nervous about.  “Two Weeks Ago,” which is Sherlolly, and “Maybe the Last Time,” which is Warstan.  I do not feel confident in writing porn which is probably why I wrote angsty porn.  Even if it’s not hot it is *sad*, okay, and therefore I have succeeded.

Anyway both of them were quite well received so ::shrugs::

How Do You Choose Your Titles:  Ugh.  I basically hate myself for an hour or two and then pick a song lyric or something that summarizes it.  I am not happy with most of my titles.

Do You Outline: If it’s looking like it’s going to be more than a couple thousand words, definitely.  Otherwise I write myself into corners and give up.

How many of your [BBC Sherlock] stories are…

Complete: 27

In-Progress: 1 in the sense that it’s partially published and ongoing.  There’s a whole lotta ones percolating in various levels of on-the-page-ness

Coming Soon: None.  I don’t mean I’m done after this one but let’s be honest here, I am not the most prolific ficcer.  We’ll see where inspiration strikes.

Do You Accept Prompts: Sure!  In fact several of my most popular fics (and that stupid Warstan “True Lies” AU which will not leave my brain were based off prompts.  In some cases prompts said to other people.

Upcoming Story You Are Most Excited to Write: I want to do a John Watson’s Groundhog Days AU prompt in which John wakes up in the unaired pilot (which I *think* was a prompt by @ohaine but I honestly cannot find proof of this).  It needs to be kind of “Sherlock Holmes’s Diaries,” in which Sherlock is expecting to dazzle John with his deductions and John is just like, “Are you wearing jeans?”

Tag Five Fanfic Authors to Answer These Questions As Well: 

@hobbitsdoitbetter, @marcceh, @soyeahso, @missdaviswrites, @sunken-standard

But please none of you feel obligated if you would rather not.

[ohaine]

Fan Fiction Writers’ Appreciation Day 2018

August 21st is fan fiction writers’ appreciation day, and in honour of the wonderful women who write for our beautiful ship I thought I’d compile a fic rec list focusing on older works (because it’s such a thrill when someone shows love to an old story) that you may have read a while ago and lost track of, or were never lucky enough to read when they were first published.

It’s incredibly difficult to play favourites with stories and writers, but I’ve gone through my bookmarks and selected ones that have stayed with me. The list (below the cut, don’t want to clutter your dash :) comes from works posted on AO3 and is given in no particular order.  

I hope you find something you love.

Áine x

You’ve all read Sustain, The science of perception, Longer than the road that stretches out ahead, The breath that passed from you to me, and it goes without saying they’re amazing, so I won’t tell you what you already know. Instead I’m focusing on (mostly) one shots, (mostly) older stories that are – in my estimation – just as wonderful. Remember to read the author’s own tags.

No small part, by @o0katiekins0o (T, 2015) is a wonderful, bittersweet little story written with Katie’s trademark wit and gift for pathos. Molly and Greg drown their sorrows about the men they love. 

Here, this sphere of angels, by @miabicicletta (T, 2014) Dark, brooding and poetic. Moriarty wreaks havoc on our beautiful pair, and Sherlock’s walls are torn down by the hands of the woman he loves.

What the blackbird sang, by @hobbitsdoitbetter (M, 2014) Possibly the single most beautiful and tender thing I’ve ever read. Tentative Sherlock and a damaged Molly finding their way together. The scene where Sherlock reads to her will give you shivers.

Kinknapped, by @o0katiekins0o (T, 2015) So clever, so funny... Molly is once again kidnapped and Sherlock must rescue his damsel in distress... except the kidnapper is an idiot and Sherlock and Molly have a plan of their own.

Cowards against the flesh, by @ashockinglackofsatin (E, 2017) Beautiful, angst ridden sex (with a hint of dubcon). This woman writes Sherlock like no one else does, she understand him, and as a consequence her writing is so perfectly in character that it can pass for canon. Beautiful. Perfect.

Down and shaking when I think I lose, by @ashockinglackofsatin (T, 2018) You can’t read this and not be struck by Kat’s depth of understanding. An examination of the true cost of being Sherlock Holmes. Stunning work.

Sherlock gets an F, by @waiting-to-be-distributed (G, 2016) A new relationship, a possible pregnancy, a reluctant father-to-be and Molly determined to do the right thing. I love this Sherlock.

Fallen, by @mizjoely (E, 2016) A forbidden desire, a fallen angel and a love that transcends...this piece is simply beautiful.

Prize of war, by @likingthistoomuch (E, 2016) gloriously hot, poetic and rich imagery. When a king returns from battle he has need of only one thing: his servant Molly...

How long? by @sweet-sweet-escape (T, 2016) Kiki’s great gift was funny fluff and she excels at that here: Molly plays Sherlock at his own game, and something he hadn’t quite intended to say slips out. Short and sweet, but perfectly formed.

By the light of that same star, by @miabicicletta (T, 2015) 5+1 Christmases in the lives of Sherlock and Molly. Equal parts canon heartache and joyful hope.

Flicker from view, by @picturestoproveit (E, 2014) One of my all time favourites. As Molly deals with her ex, Tom, Sherlock complicates her life with passion and mixed signals.

Wallpaper, by @keepmyselfamused-othersconfused (E, 2014) Hot, sexy and proof that Sherlollians can take any insult and turn it into optimistic smut. We’re experts at that ;)

As the rest of the world sleeps, by @sundance201 (E, 2013) When Molly comes home after a night out with the girls, Sherlock sets about reminding her who she belongs to. Some of the hottest smut that I’ve ever read...the bit at the window will make your knees tremble.

I’ve been down on my knees, by blogyourfeelings (M, 2015) angst ridden and ultimately uplifting, a story that shows that sometimes the things that are right for you are the things you must fight for.

The problems of procreation, by Cactusnell (T, 2015) What if someone from Sherlock’s past needs a favour? A donation? What would he do?

Mrs Balitran, by @ashockinglackofsatin (G, 2017) Part of Kat’s Dark series. Canon Sherlock’s world is populated with interesting and quirky characters, here Kat extrapolates on that theme and takes us deeper as Sherlock slowly reveals himself and his heart to Molly. Gorgeous.

Old scars, by aelangreenleaf (M, 2012) Angst angst angst. Prostitute Molly and her client Sherlock form a connection that leaves them both on a knife edge.

Contentment, by @sweet-sweet-escape (T, 2016) A tentative first kiss and the floofiest of domestic fluff written with heart and so much love for Sherlock and Molly.

Three years later...three months to go, by @lilsherlockian1975 (G, 2016) Hopeful beginnings and our boy growing up. Lovely, sad, and uplifting.

Hello my old heart, by @sundance201 (T, 2013) If your heart was a fragile thing, who would you trust to keep it safe? As Sherlock takes down Moriarty’s web he discovers there’s only one answer to that.

A whiff of something new, by @likingthistoomuch (G, 2016) Soft. Tender. Gee does what she does best here: economical use of words, buckets of feels and tentative love. Perfect.

Drop to hold you, by @aphraelsan (2017 M) Quite simply one of the cleverest and funniest smutty fics ever written. Sheer perfection.

More than biology, by Liathwen (E, 2014) A/B/O at it’s finest. Hot and fun, what more could you want?

Unlawful Imprisonment, by @lilsherlockian1975 (T, 2015) Lil doing what she does best. Funny (hilarious in fact). When those around them finally have enough of the will-they-won’t-they shenanigans the group take matters into their own hands. 

New paths, by @likingthistoomuch (G, 2017) The aftermath of the call done with a light touch and in an unexpected way. So lovely.

A thin line, by @darnedchild (T, 2017) Molly, ever Sherlock’s protector, confronts John about his behaviour. Perfect.

Heart of Gold, by @rooneykmara (T, 2017) A collection of exceptionally well written drabbles.

Sex, by @ashockinglackofsatin (E, 2017) a master class in economic writing and intense feelings. Hot. Hot. Hot.

Life interrupted, by @mizjoely (E, 2014, in progress) A one night stand. An unplanned pregnancy. A chance reunion. Angst and smut. Can’t wait to see where it all ends up (hint: going on past form it’s gonna end well, but, hey, that’s just my opinion...)

Neighbourhood files, by itssweaterweather, (E, 2017) sensual BDSM done beautifully. The bit with the oils will melt you.

Tea and assault, by @barpurplewrites (T, 2016) Hilarious. No one messes with Molly Hooper before her morning cuppa.

Ground stop, by @picturestoproveit (G, 2014) What happens when Molly Hooper meets Pepper Pots, the put upon girlfriend of a genius. What could they possibly have in common?

Learning to breathe, by @mizjoely (G, 2017)  less than 200 words, but they are so gorgeous. What it feels like to kiss Sherlock Holmes.

The boyfriend experience, by @hobbitsdoitbetter (M, 2016) Escort Sherlock falls for his client and discovers that maybe there’s another life waiting for him... Gorgeously hot sex and killer emotions.

Like the shine of long extinguished stars, by @keepmyselfamused-othersconfused (T, 2018) When Sherlock loses someone, he turns to his safe harbour. Discussions of death, but beautifully done.

A tangled web, by @aphraelsan (T, 2018) Rom com sensibilities, secrets, lies and so much more. A wonderfully funny read.

Through the grey, by tuesdayterrible (M, 2015) reluctant soul mate AU, poor Sherlock, he doesn’t have a clue...

Winter’s Tales: Indra’s Underground, by @allthebellsinvenice (E, 2014) Molly is absent from this one, but we find a younger Sherlock, headstrong and cruel, brought to heel by an experienced Dom in the form of OC Indra. Pre-Sherlolly and incredibly hot.

Collide, by MG12CSI16 (T, 2013) When Molly falls pregnant Sherlock struggles to cope. Angst and hope.

And finally....

Christmas Eve, 221B, by fillyjonk (G, 2014) Sherlock and John get their groove on in this fun little cartoon.

So there we are. Not an exhaustive list, but a lot of great fics. If you read and enjoy, don’t forget to tell the author that you had fun in their little world.

[mizjoely]

If I were to dive back into Sherlolly fic after a prolonged absence, what would you say were the two best fics to start with? One of yours and one of a recommended author?

Hmm, very good question, and a damned hard on to answer as there are so many good sherlolly writers out there these days. But let’s go with this for my story: Wide Awake and Dreaming (Rated T)

Recommended story by a “classic” sherlolly author would definitely be Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (Rated E) by @sunken-standard.

For a non-E rated story, definitely read Dust in the Air by @flaignhan.

If you are looking for some newer authors, may I suggest  @lilsherlockian1975, @darnedchild, @strangelock221b, @hobbitsdoitbetter...oh, the list could go on and on, but I am encouraging others to add their faves and recommendations as well.

For other fic recs from me, please check out this link on my sherlollilists home page.

[cath100]

My personal Sherlolly fanfic bests so far...: 2017

I started making this list in 2014 and updated it in 2015 and in early 2017 as 2016 update. This is 2017 update, belated again, with a few additions to each category. The new items (not necessarily published in 2017) are in bold. 

The categories have been developed out of those in the original SAMFA held in 2012 and 2013, but now looks rather different. This list is based on my personal preferences. Also, I haven’t read ALL Sherlolly stories. (Who can?) So it is never intended to be authoritative or exhaustive.

The stories with an asterisk are not complete. (M) indicates respective author’s own rating, some for explicit sexual expression, others for some other reasons.

Please reblog if you like it! Many many thanks!

***************************************************************************************************

<Best of the bests>

  I Told You So by Writingwife83

<Best Sagas>

A saga here refers to a series of multi-chapter fics that traces the couple’s history.

By coloradoandcolorado1

The Lonely

Broken Pieces

The Distance

Innuendo (M)

Monster

Overkill

Dark Reaches of the Night

What Lies Ahead*

By Flaignhan

Schoolgirl Crush

Nadir

Miracles

Full Circle

Honesty

Dust in the Air

By Gypsy Rose2014

Gabriel’s Wish

Of Small Boys and Sandwiches* (M)

Ginger Lollipops*

 Wishes (M)

A Summer Story* (M)

Trimming the Tree

Under the Mistletoe* (M)

By thedragonaunt

Life After Death - A Post-Reichenbach Trilogy

  Part One - Aftermath (M)

  Part Two - Consequences

  Part Three - Unfinished Business

Demon (M)

Mother Love (M)

The Other Woman (M)

Loose Ends (M)

Gold (M)

Stolen (M)

Fatal Breath

Holmes for Christmas

Until Death (M)

Grounded*

Quiet Sunday

<Best Romance>

  Benefits of Boredom by Writingwife83

  Blue Christmas (M) by MrsMCrieff

  Catching a Runaway Bride by TheSapphireSky

  Days May Not Be Fair by darthsydious

  Her Own Tale of Love by theheartofadetective

  Sleepy Beauty by PlatinumNib

  So This is Love by onceinabluemoon0013

  The Knight’s Return by theSappyireSky

  The Professor and Mr Holmes by likingthistoomuch

  The Pulse Says It All (M) by SherlollyShock

  The Queen’s Man by writingwife83

<Best “Not Just Romance”>

  Always Molly by LaMorenaReina

  Back-up Plans by EllisHendricks

  Not So Little by PhoebeSnow

  The Sherrinford Tale by Millie 1985

<Best Adventure>

  Did You Miss Me, Molly Hooper? by Sherlocked-Fangirl-x

  Fireplay for Beginners* by hobbitsdoitbetter

  Landing on His Feet* by Vitawash

  Outlaw by AsteraceaeBlue

  Sorcerer’s Apprentice* by patemalah21

  The Ghost and Molly Hooper* by Doctor WTF

  The Honest Thief by hobbitsdoitbetter

  The Pirate and the Doctor (M) by Petra Todd

  When White Petals Fall* by Irisang

<Best Mystery>

 City of Dreams (M) by MrsMCrieff

 Double Cross by steffy2106

 Fatal Breath by thedragonaunt

 Just Human by Lanceletta

 Monster by coloradoandcolorado1

 The Return by D. A. Smith

 The Detective and the Debutante* by EloiseAtThePlaza

 The Lark Ascending by whirligigkat 

 Tinderbox by Anne Louise 2000

<Best Drama>

 Blind Ambition by OpalSkyLoveDivine

 Dear Sherlock, by MudbloodPride

 Deconstructing Death by Emmyjean

 Demon (M) by thedragonaunt

 Dust in the Air by Flaignhan

 In the End (M) by Lono

 Long Way to You by Lanceletta

 Pulling Strings by AuntDidi

 Racing Daylight by Flaignhan

 The Journey by Abisian

 Through the Looking Glass by SherlollyShock

<Best Humour>

  Down Under by cactusnell

  Gentlemen at War by Quarto

  Message Received by Emmyjean

  My, How you’ve grown, in a world of pure imagination by lilsherlockian1975

  The Accidental Boyfriend by lizzieBdarcy

  The Custody Agreement of an Adorable Calico Demon by Bellarsam Chrisjulittle

  The Diary of a Small Angry Pathologist by lilsherlockian1975

  The Million Dollar Shot by milkforthesouffles

  The Natural Science of Happiness Hormones by cactusnell

  The Wiggins Chronicles by lilsherlockian1975

  Winds of Change by Writingwife83  

<Best Angst>

I haven’t been in the mood to read angsty stories for quite a while. So no addition to this category this time. Sorry!

  Always and Never (M) by theheartofadetective

  Asylum (M) by Adi Who is Also Mou

  Far from the Tree by Petra Todd

  Our beginnings Never Know Our Ends by Elixir.BB

  Return to Me by MizJoely

  Schoolgirl Crush by Flaignhan

  Telling the Bees by satin_doll

  The Beekeeper by Ditsypersephone

<Best H/C>

  A Beautiful Mind by jankmusic

  As You Wish by Alydia Rackham

  Beyond Words by SilverGlimmers

  Delicious by Bellarsam Chrisjulittle

  I Will Try to Fix You by Bellarsam Chrisjulittle

  Louder than Words by Samwise221b

  Secrets by Fiji Dreamer

  Smoke Damage by cactusnell

  The Attribute of the Strong by Bellarsam Chrisjulittle

<Best Sherlock>

  Holiday Romance (M) by MrsMCrieff

  More (M) by Liberi Ad Somnia

  Mother Love (M) by thedragonaunt

  Of Small Boys and Sandwiches* (M) by Gypsy Rose2014

  On Paper by MizJoely

  On the Side of the Angels by Supervillegirl

  The Family Detective by I 4 2 write

  Tiny Ways by Flaignhan

  WillyougooutwithmeMollyplease by Dreamin

<Best Molly>

  Each in Its Own Fields* by dietplainlite

  Fireplay for Beginners* by hobbitsdoitbetter

  Ginger Lollipops* by Gypsy Rose2014

  Mr Holmes and His Maid by Silencebeyondthestars

(The author has deleted this story on major fan fiction sites and it is not available anywhere on the web now. I’m keeping this in my list, though, because Molly in this story is so powerful and convincing. Hope the author will put it back somewhere in the future.)

  Pulling Strings by AuntDidi

  Secrets by Fiji Dreamer

  The Diary of a Small Angry Pathologist by lilsherlockian1975

  Tinderbox by Anne Louise 2000

  Training Session by cactusnell

<Best Kids>

  Arthur in Of Bellstaff’s and Twigs by rainbow letters

  Benjamin in I’m Out Here by Fayth3

  Gabriel in Ginger Lollipops* by Gypsy Rose2014

  Georgina in Uncle Mycroft by TheSapphireSky

  Lydia in Lydia Listens by MizJoely

  Melisande in Daughters, Sherlolly Family by Maejones

  Olivia in All You Have by blogyourfeelings

  Penelope in Sherlock’s Near Death Experience by jankmusic

  Scarlet in Ginger Lollipops* by Gypsy Rose2014

  Scott in All We Have by writingwife83

  Will in Defining Family by GunterRae

  William in Life after Death Part Three: Unfinished Business by thedragonaunt

<Best Toby>

   A Dogs Life by TheSapphireSky

   Gentlemen at War by Quarto

   Overdressed for the Occasion, in The Anthology by jankmusic

   Sherlock v Toby: Winner Take Molls by MizJoely

   The Cat Clause, in Negotiations by HeayPuckett

   The Diary of a Small Angry Pathologist by lilsherlockian1975

   The New Doctor by writingwife83 (Toby makes his appearance from Chapter 4 onwards.)

   Toby and His New Pet by Moonunit

   Whose Flat Is It Any Way? in A Window into Change by Writingwife83

<Best Dogs>

   Blackbeard in A Dogs Life by TheSapphireSky

   Cat in Of Small Boys and Sandwiches* (M) by Gypsy Rose2014

   Delfina in Untitled Tumblr post by jankmusic

   Molly Cocker in New Can at the Pack, Sherlolly Archives (M) by MoniMcCoy

   Redbeard in Benefits of Boredom by Writingwife83

   Redbeard in Epilogue of In the Quiet Places (M) by Kyerie

   Readbeard in Quiet Sunday by thedragonaunt

   Smaug in A Dog Fit for Sherlock Holmes by FluffySherlollyFan119

   Toby in Loss Restored by Amalia Kensington

<Best Smuts>

I don’t normally read many of this kind, but these are so compelling as a story. I have no addition this time, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any good fics in this category. I just don’t know about them.

   dreams, like soap bubbles (M) by broomclosetkink

   Holiday Romance (M) by MrsMCrieff

   Love Stories and Tournaments of Lies (M) by Nocturnias

   Parva Victoriis (Little Victories) (M) by MizJoely

  The Boyfriend Experience (M) by hobbitsdoitbetter

[rooneykmara]

WIP tag game

I was tagged by two of my favorite authors EVER @theemptyquarto and @miabicicletta (seriously, I <3 both of your writing so so much!) in this nifty WIP game. 

the rule is simple: you copy and paste the last sentence you wrote in a WIP and then tag the same number of people as there are words in the sentence.

miabicicletta’s answer: 

1. A long, post-TFP fic that will either be two or four very long chapters, I haven’t decided.

It was a favorite place, their bedroom. Somewhere away from the world, apart even from rest of the house even, at the end of a hall, with the wood to the east and a view of the pond to the north. A sanctuary, though it was far more than a place of reprieve; temple, maybe. An overwrought term, probably, for a bed and four walls and some furniture from made.com over a decade ago, but it was a space they had built together, something more than the little house she’d had or the flat he’d kept, and to him it felt holy.

2. Like the lady said, “It’s Greek.” Ancient!Greek AU. Basically an absurd mashup of the Trojan War, bit o’ Orestes & Iphigenia, but also Odysseus & Penelope, and also, no, but like, what if Eurus was an oracle, and Mary an Amazon, and Irene from Lesbea…John’s still just a soldier though. These, the things I think of. #whatismylife? #whataremychoices?

And so the women of the court called the girl child Melpomone after the delicate white blossoms that grew on the hillsides.

(It was also poison, the moly flower, but this the women could not have known.)

theemptyquarto’s answer: Janine says he kisses like a dead trout. 

My answer: (Gotta admit I’ve mostly been glaring at this doc for the last couple of weeks lols, but now I feel inspired to push on:). It’s a Warstan/Sherlolly S4 thing!

His emotions had been in upheaval ever since she had left—from not wanting to know where she was at first as the anger overwhelmed his sense, to having worry eclipse the anger, to now experiencing dread overtake the worry, bit by bit.  

I’m guessing a lot of people have been tagged already (and feel free to ignore this!), but here are some cool peeps: @hobbitsdoitbetter, @darnedchild, @mae-jones, @forthegenuine, @o0katiekins0o, @gettingovergreta, @geekmama, @waiting-to-be-distributed :) 

[lockwood-fic-recs]

Fic Discussion #41

As our first fic last week we shared Boys Don't Cry and now we'd love to start a discussion! It's another big bang fic, which means it was in the works for a while! What did you think of it? Reply or reblog using the tag #lockwoods book club and let us know!

[miz-joelys-sherlollilists]

hello! do u know of any fics where molly runs into tom after they breakup and she's with sherlock?

There’s a great scene of them meeting up with Tom at the end of with a tear, the truth comes by broomclosetkink (Rated M). Or you might enjoy the Tom!verse fics by sunken-standard (they get together after meeting up wtih Tom but the series is a hoot):

Hold my hand so he gets jealous (Tom-verse)

I thought you said you were a doctor (Tom-verse)

That wasn’t very subtle (Tom-verse)

@hobbitsdoitbetter said: This is kinda what you’re looking for: the final chapter definitely is: Best Served Cold

@rabbit-in-blue said: There’s a crazy compilation of random fics (some of they follow a storyline some others don’t so it gets confusing) where they seem to run on Tom every time they go to the market I gonna look for it, because of course I don’t remember name nor author, but I know I have it saved somewhere…

Me: That would be the Tom-verse fics by sunken-standard! The one you're talking about is That wasn't very subtle (link above). Happy reading!

[holidaysat221b]

The Maiden Mirror

Since I can’t share directly from Ao3, we’re going to do this old school.

The Maiden Mirror

Chapters: 4/4

Fandom: Sherlock (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Sherlock Holmes/Molly Hooper, Sherlock Holmes & John Watson, Mary Morstan/John Watson, Sherlock Holmes & Mary Morstan, Anthea/Mycroft Holmes Characters:  Sherlock Holmes, Molly Hooper, Mycroft Holmes, John Watson, Mary Morstan Summary:

He finds it after the fire, after the funeral, while they’re rebuilding 221B Baker Street.

The mirror is heavy. Oak. Vines and leaves curl around its border. A carving that might be a face gazes out between the branches, eyes dark and wide. Watching. The wood is polished and smooth, the glass speckled with age.

In the aftermath of a tragedy Sherlock Holmes finds a mysterious object in his home and develops an odd new fascination...

Ghost story, Victorian AU. Set post Abominable Bride and post HIs Final Vow. Enjoy!

Submitted by @hobbitsdoitbetter for Halloween at 221b.

[theleftpill]

I'm a johnlocker who's looking for f/m fics for a change. I need fresh air. Can you or any of your followers recommend fics where the main or the only pairing involves Sherlock or John with a woman? Sherlolly, Warstan, Marylock, Adlock, Jolly... It's all good. Any rating. Thank you!

My leftpill ficrec tag is a collection of links and posted one-shots that skew pretty heavily toward Sherlolly, but also includes a bit of adlock, marylock, and johnlockary.  I can also recommend anything by my favorite authors @miabicicletta, @hobbitsdoitbetter, @lono285, @mae-jones, and oh crap who am I forgetting????  We have so many good authors.  @sunken-standard, @allthebellsinvenice, @anarfea

@mizjoely is one of those good authors, and she runs the Sherlolly Fic Masterlists over at @miz-joelys-sherlollilists, if you have a particular fic type/trope you want to dive into. 

I know this is a pretty general dump, but if you want to send me some more details on what you’re looking for, I can give you some more specific recs. 

Happy hunting - hope you find something you like!

Adlockers, Warstanners, Marylockers - can you help?

[gettingovergreta]

13. Favorite fic from another author? 15. Your guilty writing pleasure? 16. Do you have structured ideas of how your story is supposed to go, or make it up as you write?

13. I think this is probably @hobbitsdoitbetter ‘s fic, Be Near Me When My Light is Low.  It is extraordinarily rare to see intimate partner violence handled accurately in a fic, plus there is so much psychological complexity to the characters - a wonderful Sally, a gentle and assertive Mrs. Hudson, a version of Sherlock who is trying so hard to fix things and maintain boundaries, and a lovely, plucky Molly.  However, there are lots that I reread, like rsadelle’s The Breath That Passed from You to Me (my favorite kidfic ever in any fandom) and Petra Todd’s The Black Card.  I utterly loved Lono’s In the End as well and I completely refuse to reread it because my heart, and I realized today that I’ve never reread That Dear Perfection and I don’t know why, because it was a “drop everything, there’s an update” fic the first time around.

15. Hmmm. I would have to say that it’s an inability to pass up an opportunity for a terrible, terrible joke.  In fact the joke I want to make often precedes much of the rest of the story.  Also I have the inability to resist crackfic in most of its forms. Sherlollians *may* have noticed.

16. I am definitely a make it up as  I go along person, and I think partially that’s because I don’t always write in order. Sometimes I know the end of the story before I know how it starts, sometimes it’s just a bit of dialogue or an image in my head.  This isn’t exactly ideal, I admit, especially when the story is a bit longer.  I rarely write chapter fics for that reason - it’s very hard for me to sustain them.